Liberation of neodymium magnet rotor by underwater explosion for rare earth elements recycling

This research addressed on applying underwater explosion to the liberation of neodymium magnet from rotor of electric motor for rare earth elements recycling. The rotor of electric motor used in the compressor unit of an air conditioner containing neodymium magnet could be effectively disintegrated by underwater explosion. The crushed products contained several steel pieces with neodymium magnet powder adhered to their surfaces. After heating the crushed products above the curie temperature of neodymium magnet, the neodymium magnet powder was demagnetized. After sieving, the neodymium magnet powder was separated from the steel pieces. The separated neodymium magnet powder can be treated by subsequent metallurgy process for rare earth elements recycling.